The government has said it plans to continue night flights into and out of London airports for at least the next four years, bbc.co.uk reports.

Under current proposals, night flights look set to continue at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, despite vehement opposition from local residents.

In Heathrow, there are 16 flights permitted to land between 04:30 and 06:00, whilst a further 65 flights take off or land within the following hour. Flights would still be banned, however, between the hours of 23:30 and 04:30. At Gatwick and Stansted, meanwhile, there are no takeoffs or landings between 23:30 and 06:30.

The government would typically be expected to announce new regulations to cover a five or six year period, but has chosen to only account for four as a result of potential changes on the horizon for London’s airports. This includes proposals for the new “Boris Island” Thames Estuary airport, which could handle more night flights as take offs and landings would take place over the water and not above residential areas.

Even if the plans do not go ahead, those living under the flight paths have been assuaged by government reports that aircraft are only set to become quieter in years to come, as technology used in their construction improves, standard.co.uk claims.

These government plans are not yet set in stone, however, as they will go through open consultation in the new year. Provided everything goes to plan, a decision will then be announced in spring.